Siemens Rail Automation expands in Pennsylvania

Written by
William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief

John Paljug, President, Siemens Rail Automation

Siemens Rail Automation announced on August 8, 2014 that it will combine and expand its manufacturing and engineering operations at a new facility in the Pittsburgh area “to help meet growing demand for its rail automation technologies.”

The expansion will specifically support Positive Train Control (PTC) projects, including a project to upgrade train control systems on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North systems. Siemens plans to add 129 high-skilled jobs, 68 in engineering and 61 in manufacturing, at the new location, which is located outside of downtown Pittsburgh in Munhall, Pa. The new facility will combine Siemens’ 35-employee East Pittsburgh manufacturing facility with its 18th Street location in Pittsburgh, which employs 23 engineers.

The manufacturing team assembles and wires the complex control equipment required for PTC systems and the associated wayside signal systems. The systems engineering staff provides hardware and software for everything from highway-rail grade crossing warning systems to fully automated driverless transit systems.

“We have been engineering and manufacturing some of the world’s most efficient and safe rail technologies in Pennsylvania for more than 25 years, and we’re thrilled to expand our footprint in the region by creating additional highly skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs,” said Siemens Rail Automation President John Paljug. “By combining our current operations into one location, we can meet the growing demand for advanced rail technologies like PTCl that are essential for efficient rail travel and critical to ensuring the safety of America’s railways.”

The expansion received a $200,000 Pennsylvania First Program state grant that facilitates investment and job creation. The grant consists of tax incentives that will be used for skills training for new and current Siemens employees.

“We’re building a stronger Pennsylvania where companies, both large and small, are growing and creating new jobs,” said Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett. “My administration is proud to support job creators like Siemens, a global company that is investing in Pennsylvania and creating good-paying engineering and manufacturing jobs in the Pittsburgh region.”

In November 2013, Siemens, in a consortium with Bombardier Transportation, was awarded a $428 million contract to upgrade train control systems on the LIRR and Metro-North. Siemens and Bombardier will develop, test, and commission a new PTC system. Siemens finalized its acquisition of Invensys Rail in May of 2013, expanding the company’s footprint in the global rail automation market and strengthening its technology offerings, including PTC.